Yee Ling Shiu, dearly known to her family as “La Patrona,” passed away on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021.
She had a long battle with cancer, but she never gave up and fought until the very end. Her last moments were peaceful. She passed during her sleep surrounded by her husband and three children holding her hands.
Stories like Yee Ling’s don’t come around often. Born in Canton, China, she immigrated to Montevideo, Uruguay when she was 11 years old. There, she learned to adapt to a completely different culture while mastering a new language. Not only did she become one of the best students in her new school, but she also helped her family build the “Shiu dynasty”, the start of a welcoming Chinese community in a small South American town. Along the way, she made lifelong friendships and traveled the world. In 1984, she met her future husband and companion of 37 years, Ben (a.k.a. Luis).
In her own words:
“I met my husband in the charming old way people separated by distance did, by exchanging long handwritten letters every thirty to forty days from 1984 to 1986. Long-distance phone calls were dear and had to be assisted by an international operator in order to get through. Ben was living in Asunción, Paraguay while I was living in Montevideo. The first time we met was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and it was love at first sight. Our love steadily grew bigger and we got married on April 8, 1986. All of our kids came in succession, the next year welcomed Steven, then Andrés in 1988, and finally Lynda in 1990.”
Yee Ling moved mountains to provide the best opportunities for her children and she never let obstacles get in her way. In 2005, despite having established a comfortable life in Uruguay, Yee and Luis moved to Chicago in order to provide their children an opportunity to pursue the American dream. Yee took English classes to learn and perfect yet another language, and created an environment where she and her family could thrive.
While Yee Ling tended to shy away from the spotlight and avoid being the center of attention, she always lit up the room with her warmth, positivity, and generosity. All who knew her looked forward to gatherings at her home, where she would treat every meal like a feast, serving endless delicious asados, empanadas, tea, and tiramisus. In her naturally selfless way, she always made sure everyone was cared for. She had the biggest heart and was generous with her time, her advice, and her love. Even in her last moments, she insisted that her kids get special gifts and treats for her medical team.
Yee Ling cared deeply about education. Her unconditional support of her children allowed them to achieve their dreams and be the best versions of themselves. Thanks to her relentless encouragement and dedication, her children (all first generation college students) were able to push themselves to obtain multiple advanced degrees. This is just one testament to the incredible impact she had on those around her, constantly inspiring her loved ones and giving endless amounts of support.
In honor of Yee Ling’s belief in the power of education, a scholarship was set up in her name to help first generation college students pursue their dreams.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Ben Li Lin; her three children; Steven Lin (Xiang Li), Andrés Lin-Shiu (Avery Miller), and Lynda Lin (Vincent Pham), her mother Leticia Chan, her sister Wei Ling Shiu (Man Kim Hsu), her brothers Jorge Shiu (Raquel Garcia) and Jaime Shiu, as well as many other loved ones.
